My model gives me a blank stare as if it to say, "Is that it?" Mother gives me a glance, and by Mother and...

For as long as I can remember, I’ve stood for empowerment. In my younger years, I was often bullied for my distinct features, specifically my unique name and my naturally curly hair which I now embrace fully but it took me years to have a confident self image. Because of this, I’ve always felt called to help others feel stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and owning their authenticity through fashion and personal style. 

The fashion game, It’s deep. It’s complex. And when we talk about the struggles faced by people of color, it hits even harder. Let’s keep it real. In this industry, it often feels like (Poc) only gets one shot to make it, while our white counterparts can stumble, fall, and rise again like it’s no big deal. In examining the exploitative nature of the fashion system and the limited chances for people of color, I cannot escape the undeniable lived realities that many have experienced. The fashion industry, built upon the backs of marginalized communities, has long perpetuated a cycle of systemic bias, violence and inequality. This bias can be attributed, in part, to the scarcity of opportunities and the limited representation of people of color in positions of power within fashion. Those who hold the reins of influence—the executives, the designers, the gatekeepers—have predominantly hailed from white backgrounds.